Sarah Leonard, broker and owner of the Sarah Leonard Team of RE/MAX Suburban, leads with clients’ best interests in mind. Despite the pandemic, Leonard closed more than 600 deals and ranked the No. 1 agent in the MLS in 2020. She and her all-female team of 10 agents and 10 office staff are all suburban Chicago natives with extensive knowledge of the local real estate market. The group prides itself on providing personalized service and making each client feel as if they were the only one.

“This process is so emotional and stressful for people,” says Leonard, who has 15 years of industry experience. “My job is to take the stress out of the transaction for each client. Having a positive impact on my clients makes the long hours worth it.”

Leonard started her career in real estate at the age of 15, first working for a loan officer before becoming a marketing coordinator for a real estate team, and then advancing to a licensed Realtor. Experiencing different facets of the industry laid the foundation for her to successfully lead a well-rounded team. “I learned early on what worked and what doesn’t work,” she recalls. Poised for success, each agent on her team focuses on her area of expertise, whether that is assisting buyers or as a listing agent. “When you focus on one area, you are able to hone in and excel at what you do,” Leonard says. The team works closely with attorneys and lenders to keep every detail about the transaction organized, updating clients along the way.

When the team isn’t in the office, they stay passionate about health. Leonard offers them weekly personal training bootcamps, a fun way to work out and spend time together. Another of their focuses is giving back: Leonard purchases monthly lunches for teachers, nurses and other front-line workers; hosts an annual paper-shredding event; and supports local charities, including Food for Greater Elgin and Fellowship Housing.